Monkey-wrench



W. M. MYERS. MbNKEY WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILEDv JUNE 19, 1919.

Patented 'J an. 4, 1921.

UNITED .STATES ENT I 0E F If. E.

MONKEY-WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4,. 1921.

Application filed June 19, 1919. Serial No. 305,351.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM M. MYnns, a citizen; of the United States, residing at Saint Joseph, in the county ofBuchan-an and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Monkey- Wrenches, of which the following 1s a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in monkey wrenches.

The object of my invention is to provide a monkey wrench which is simple in construction, which is strong and durable and not liable to get out of order, and which has novel means by which it may be quickly adjusted to and tightened in any desired position within its range of adjustment.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my 1mproved wrench.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a cross section showing the crank in the release position.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

1 is the shank of the wrench having at one end a fixed jaw 2 which is adapted to cooperate with a jaw 3, which is slidably mounted on the shank l.

Rotatably mounted in the jaw 3 is a longitudinal shaft 4 provided at its outer end with a crank 5 and having rigidly secured to it a sleeve 6, which is provided with a peripheral thread 7, preferably spiral and mutilated, and arranged to lockingly engage transverse threads 8, preferably inclined, which are arranged in a longitudinal row in the adjacent ed e of the shank 1.

The multilated thread can be released from the threads 8, by turning crank 5 counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which position a projection 9 engages with one side the shank 1. In this position, the cut out portion between the ends of the mutilated thread 7 will be facing the threads 8. The sleeve 6 will then be in the release position, thereby permitting the jaw 3 to be slid to any desired position on the shank 1, after which the crank 5 is turned. in a clock wise direction, thereby causing the mutilated thread 7- to lockingly engage with the threads 8. As the thread 7 is in the form of aspiral, and asthethreads 8 are inclined in a like direction and pitch, the jaw 3 will be moved slightly toward the fixed jaw 2.

For releasably holding the sleeve 6 in the position to which it may be adjusted, and to prevent its accidental displacement, I employ yielding means for forcing one end of the sleeve 6 in a frictional engagement with the jaw 3.

To effect this function the end of the sleeve 6 which is adj acentto the fixed jaw 2 is provided with a central recess 10 in which is mounted a coil spring 11, which encircles the shaft 4, and which has one end bearing against the aw 3 and which bears at its other end against the sleeve 6. The tension of the spring 11 is such as to normally force the end of the sleeve 6, which is next to the crank 5, against the aw 3.

The ends of the threads 8 where thread 7 enters are preferably beveled, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby permitting of the easy entrance of the mutilated thread 7. .The beveled edges are designated by 12.

A pin 13 in one edge of the. shank 1 limits the movement of the jaw 3 away from the jaw 2.

The sleeve 6 may be held in any suitable I manner from turning on the shaft 4. For

this purpose, I have shown in the drawing a" screw 14, Figs. 1 and 2, which is mounted in the sleeve 6 and extends into a hole provided in the shaft 4.

In the operation of my invention, the crank 5 is turned to the position shown in Fig. 3, after which the jaw 3 is slid on the shank 1 to the desired position, following which the crank 5 is turned to the locking position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, thereby lockingly engaging with the threads 8 of the shank 1.

The entering ends of the mutilated thread, 7 may be beveled, as shown in Fig. 1, to assist in the easy entrance of the mutilated thread between the threads 8 of the shank 1. It will be noted that the recess 10 is concentric with the shaft 4 and only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the coil spring 11. By this arrangement, in assembling the parts, the sleeve 6 holds the spring properly positioned, for the reception of the shaft 4:, after the sleeve 6 has been mounted in the jaw 3, preparatory to receiving the shaft 4.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, as many modifications, within the scope of the appended claim, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

\Vhat I claim is A monkey wrench comprising ashank having a fixed jaw and transverse threads, a jaw slidable on said shank and having an external lateral notch, a rock shaft rotatable in the sliding jaw and having a crank, a sleeve mounted on said rock shaft in and insertible in and removable from said notch and having in one end a concentric recess, a coil spring encircling said rock shaft in said recess and bearing against the sliding jaw and said sleeve, the sleeve having a mutilated peripheral thread adapted, when the rock shaft and sleeve are turned respectively to the proper positions to engage or disengage said threads on the shank, and a set screw mounted in said sleeve and bearing against said rock shaft, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM M. MYERS. 

